i7-5960X Extreme Edition vs i7-2600K

VS

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1536not rated
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.43no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)Intel Core i7EE
Power efficiency3.45no data
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Haswell (2013−2015)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)29 August 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$317no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads816
Base clock speed3.4 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplierno data30
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256K (per core)2 MB
L3 cache8 MB (shared)20 MB
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size216 mm2355.52 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,160 million2600 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1no data
SocketLGA1155no data
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt140 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology+no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition are enumerated here.

VT-d-no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory size32 GB64 GB
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 3000no data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.35 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition.

PCIe version2.03.00
PCI Express lanes1640

Pros & cons summary


Recency 9 January 2011 29 August 2014
Physical cores 4 8
Threads 8 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 140 Watt

i7-2600K has 47.4% lower power consumption.

i7-5960X Extreme Edition, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 3 years, 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

We couldn't decide between Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition. We've got no test results to judge.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2600K and Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-2600K
Core i7-2600K
Intel Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition
Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.2 1469 votes

Rate Core i7-2600K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
5 3 votes

Rate Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-2600K or Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.